“The Snow has Gone!”

Sat. 9 April:  “The Snow has Gone!”

The only sound today was the wind in the treetops

Note: click on pictures for full size view.

“The snow has gone!” 

I must have made this claim a half dozen times in the last month, and on each occasion I’ve been proved wrong.  But this time, I just might finally be right.

The end of the snow also means the start of the maintenance season on our trail.  So today, as a general early season check-out, I drove the entire route of the Central section of the Rideau Trail, which runs from Rosedale Road (east of Smiths Falls) in the north to Lally Homestead in the south.  There were signs to be checked – and replaced. 

It may surprise the reader that 31 of the 64 kilometres of this Central section lie on roads – either paved highways or unpaved side roads.  This allows the busy maintainer to do a lot of work from the seat of his car!

Having reached Lally Homestead, on the most perfect sunny day, with temperatures a few degrees below freezing, I could not resist a small hike.  So I strolled into the woods for the first enchanting section of trail north from Lally to Round Lake, and back again. 

These pictures might tempt the reader to do some exploring for themselves.  They will not be disappointed.

Trailhead just north of Lally Homestead

The author surprised a deer here once - deserted today

Shadows and the last skiff of snow

Magical woodland pathways

Here the Rideau Trail heads north into the wilderness

Round Lake - a perfect place to rest

Soon the landscape will be shrouded in a leafy cloak

Back at Lally Homestead